Nursing in Rural Areas, As a Geriatrics Nurse
Written: Aug 08 '01 (Updated Aug 16 '01)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: the joy of assisting the elderly
Cons: working short, long hours with very few days off, working most holidays
The Bottom Line: Nursing is a hard profession. I enjoyed it. I think people who are going into nursing should know what is expected before they make that commitment.
|
|
|
| gerirn's Full Review: Nursing Profession |
Nursing in Rural Areas, As a Geriatrics Nurse
My career in nursing began 26 years ago in Eden, Texas. It is located in the center of Texas, population 1576. San Angelo Texas is the nearest city being 45 miles away one way, 90 miles round trip. Its population is 95,000 to 100,000. I began by helping care for my grandmother in the Concho County Nursing Home. She needed extra assistance and there was a shortage of nurses’ aides years ago. I received nurses’aide training because I wanted to help not only my grandmother, but other residents as well. I could see the home needed the help and I knew I could do the work. I watched the experienced aides and decided nursing was my calling. I worked as an aide and then decided I had to know more about the different conditions people had. I went first to Licensed Vocational Nursing School in San Angelo. Then one year later after graduating I went to Angelo State University where I trained to be a Registered Nurse (RN). I received an Associate of Science in Nursing degree (ASN) degree. Later I went on the obtain my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). I worked my way up the ladder. It definitely helps to have worked first as an aide to see what kind of work is required. It also gives you a perspective of what nurses aides do versus licensed personnel. Good certified nurses aides, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and registered nurses (RNs) are needed.
I began working in the hospital after I graduated from LVN school. At first, I had to work nights. I had to drive 45 miles one way, and my body did not adjust to the night shift. It became increasingly difficult to stay awake driving home. I would almost go to sleep and be driving in the barrow ditch. That was scary. I went to the 3-11 shift and then at times, I would have to double back the next morning with having very little sleep. I decided my life and rest were important too. I did not like the impersonal nursing I was doing in the hospital. There was more and more paper work and less time for my patients. That fact still remains only more so today. I decided I liked the nursing home better. Most nurses do not , but I liked getting to know the residents I cared for versus not knowing the patients I cared for.
I live in rural Eden, Texas where the nurses are not as many as in San Angelo Texas. There are 2 major hospitals, 1 behavioral hospital, 6-8 nursing homes, and 2 colleges for nurses in San Angelo. Eden has 1 rural hospital, and 1 nursing home. There are numerous nurses in cities compared to the few nurses in rural areas. We had 2 or 3 RN’s at the most, with 5-6 LVNs working the floor in the nursing home. At times, RNs do the same work as the LVNs when there is a shortage and that is a lot of the time. I have worn many hats in nursing. I have given meds, done treatments, assisted with baths, monitored the floor all in the same day as well as doing department head duties. I would suggest to potential nurses living in rural areas to get as much experience while in school and in their first jobs to help them prepare working with fewer nurses. The RNs in rural areas have to work nearly every weekend with one weekend maybe off every 6 weeks as well as holidays. If there is a nurse shortage , you may not have any weekends off for quite a number of weeks.
I enjoy working with the elderly. A nurse can learn much about aging and the various health conditions people that age have. I sincerely believe the elderly has the right to the best quality care given by nursing professionals. Each resident needs dignity and respect. I believe we all need to remember that one day we may be in the same condition as some of the resident’s we care for. What would happen if we couldn’t remember who we were? Wouldn’t we be upset and afraid? Some older people with memory problems are just that, upset and afraid. I find it very rewarding to be able to give a resident a sense of security or calmness when that is possible. Sometimes just a smile, a friendly hello or simply holding their hand can be a benefit to that resident. On the other hand, there are residents that will not want you to touch them and may strike out if you do. Just remember all people are different and that is okay. Communication is different for everyone. Elderly people are still human. It takes special kinds of nursing personnel both licensed and certified to handle the problems of the elderly. I have been one of those nurses. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are hard conditions to deal with, but a little patience and understanding will help tremendously.
If nurses are interested in working with Geriatric residents, it is important to visit several nursing homes to see what they are like. I know rural areas are hard to staff, but nurses are needed. It can be rewarding work. The place one works needs to be clean and free of odors. The nursing staff is a team working together for the good of residents and their families. A potential nurse needs to consider all the pros and cons of working with the elderly to see if it will fit in with his or her family needs.
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
gerirn
|
|
Location: Eden, Texas United States
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.